Winnipegger thrifts Canadian rock icon Randy Bachman’s Hall of Fame jacket

You just never know what you’ll find when you walk into a thrift store.

For Winnipeg’s James Allen, he struck gold when he walked into the Value Village on Kenaston Boulevard.

Allen pulled a Holy Grail piece worn by Canadian rock and roll legend Randy Bachman, a founding member of Winnipeg’s “The Guess Who” and “Bachman-Turner Overdrive.”

“When you find something like this, it’s one of those things where you grab it and almost want to hide it,” Allen said. “You’re looking around to see if anyone’s looking for you or if they want it.”

The jacket picked up by Allen is a product of the 2014 Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum’s induction class in Nashville – a class that featured Bachman.

After some internet sleuthing, Allen took to TikTok asking Bachman if this was his jacket, and if he wanted it back.

Bachman’s daughter Lorelei commented and confirmed to Allen it was indeed once Bachman’s jacket. She then told Allen he can keep it.

“She thought it was hilarious,” Allen said. “She confirmed that her father had donated a bunch of her jackets to Value Village.”

Thrifting is something Allen and his wife Natasha take very seriously.

“I love the hunt,” he said. “I love just looking for something that is cool. I mean we bought this house a couple years ago. We’ve basically spent the entire time just buying thrifted items. I think all of this stuff in this room is thrifted.”

For many, thrifting provides a nostalgic feeling. And in a time when new clothes are getting more and more expensive, turning to second-hand stores can ease the burden of financial stress

“I think it’s better for the environment if we’re thrifting and two, it’s just a lot cheaper,” said Allen. “If you’ve ever tried to buy new kids clothes, you can spend a $100 or $500. The way my kids wear clothes, I’d rather buy them thrifted.”

And as James and Natasha’s two sons Hendrix and Archer continue to grow, some day Bachman’s jacket will be passed down to one of them.

While the family continues to search for their next big find, Allen leaves this message to Bachman: “Thank you for the music, you’re a legend. And I look forward to what you have in the future.”